Tool Path Analysis & Appearance Options
Tool Path Opdef Forms - Appearance Tab (CAM
Level)
Each tool path operation definition form contains an Appearance tab that provides analysis and appearance options for individual tool paths. You can set the style, width and display mode.
You can also toggle the display of lead and link motions and automatically update the display when tool path definitions are saved.
When possible, cut moves are saved arcs instead of polyline data. This significantly reduces file sizes. VX CAM displays arcs in each of the XY, YZ and XZ planes. All tool path options on the Appearance tab will highlight/denote arc moves from linear moves. Clockwise arcs are is brighter and counter clockwise arcs are darker than linear moves.
The entire tool path will be displayed using one of the default line styles. You can also set the style to change with the feed rate of each cutting motion by selecting Feed.
The entire tool path will be displayed using one of the default line widths.
Options Tab: Display Mode - Standard
The tool path reverts to the standard VX colors for tool paths. These are the same as the Feed Rate and Tool Colors for Verify Sessions.
Display Mode - Standard
Options Tab: Display Mode - User Color
This option allows you to define the tool path color. Select a color using the Color Browser.
Display Mode - User Color
Options Tab: Display Mode - Distance Per Span
This display mode is ideally suited for tool paths whose Cut Direction is set to Climb/Conventional such as the 2-1/2 axis Spiral and Profile Cut operations. Each span is displayed with a color spectrum from Blue (start of cut) to Red (end of cut). This mode is useful for a quick flow analysis of toolpaths with multiple regions or pockets having intermediate approach and retract moves.
Display Mode - Distance per Span
Options Tab: Display Mode - Distance All
This display mode is ideally suited for the 2-1/2 axis, 3 axis and 5 axis ZigZag tool path operations. The entire path start (Blue) to end (Red) is displayed with a single color spectrum.
Display Mode - Distance All
Options Tab: Display Mode - Z Value
This display mode is an analysis of the Z depth across the entire tool path. The color spectrum ranges from the lowest Z depth (Blue) to the highest (Red). The color spectrum bar is also displayed. This mode is suitable for parts with variable steep regions.
Display Mode - Z Value
Options Tab: Display Mode - Feed Rate
This display mode is an analysis of feed rate across the entire tool path. This mode is useful for analyzing QuickMilling tool paths that have Adaptive Feed Control (AFC) enabled. The color spectrum ranges from the fastest feed rate (Blue) to the slowest (Red). The color spectrum bar is also displayed.
Options Tab: Display Mode - Alternate Colors
The Alternate Colors display mode is a toggle mode that allows you to clearly see the different linear cut moves. For the arc moves, it shows how arcs will be sampled by VX CAM during output.
Options Tab: Display Mode - Up and Down
This display mode is based on tool travel (+Z and/or -Z) and the slop of the cut at specific points. Refer to the color list below.
Blue: Moving Up
More Blue: More Slop
Green: Changes in Z direction
Red: Moving Down
More Red: More Slop
Filters Tab:
Lead In, Lead Out, Link
Check each appropriate box to display the lead and link paths.
Check this box to redraw the display after the operation definition form is updated (i.e., when you pick OK). The operation must already be calculated before the display mode will update. See The Operations Manager - Calculating a Too Path for more information.
